HER-2/neu COX-2 PGE2 P450arom在子宫内膜癌组织的表达及其相关性研究

探讨子宫内膜腺癌组织中HER-2/neu、COX-2、PGE2、P450arom 4种生物学指标的表达,分析这4种生物学指标表达强度之间相关性及与临床病理因素的相关性。方法:应用逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）技术及酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）检测HER-2/neu、COX-2、P450arom及PGE2在正常子宫内膜、子宫内膜不典型增生和子宫内膜腺癌组织中的表达情况。结果:HER-2/neu、COX-2、P450arom及PGE2在癌组织中表达高于非癌组织,有显著性差异（P<0.01）。癌组织中HER-2/neu与COX-2、P450arom表达强度呈正相关（r值分别为0.931,0.934,P<0.05）,COX-2与P450arom表达强度亦呈正相关（r=0.908,P<0.05）。COX-2mRNA和PGE2表达强度变化呈正相关（r=0.552,P<0.05）。结论:HER-2/neu、COX-2、P450arom及PGE2可能存在协同作用,共同促进子宫内膜腺癌的发生发展。      

Modest effect of p53, EGFR and HER-2/neu on prognosis in epithelial ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis

Background:

P53, EGFR and HER-2/neu are the most frequently studied molecular biological parameters in epithelial ovarian cancer, but their prognostic impact is still unequivocal. We performed a meta-analysis to more precisely estimate their prognostic significance.

Methods:

Published studies that investigated the association between p53, EGFR and HER-2/neu status and survival were identified. Meta-analysis was performed using a DerSimonian–Laird model. Publication bias was investigated using funnel plots and sources of heterogeneity were identified using meta-regression analysis.

Results:

A total of 62 studies were included for p53, 15 for EGFR and 20 for HER-2/neu. P53, EGFR and HER-2/neu status had a modest effect on overall survival (pooled HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.33–1.61 for p53; HR 1.65, 95% CI 1.25–2.19 for EGFR and HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.34–2.08 for HER-2/neu). Meta-regression analysis for p53 showed that FIGO stage distribution influenced study outcome. For EGFR and HER-2/neu, considerable publication bias was present.

Conclusions:

Although p53, EGFR and HER-2/neu status modestly influences survival, these markers are, by themselves, unlikely to be useful as prognostic markers in clinical practice. Our study highlights the need for well-defined, prospective clinical trials and more complete reporting of results of prognostic factor studies.     

HER2/neu testing in primary colorectal carcinoma

Background:

Anti-HER2/neu therapy is well-established in breast and gastric carcinoma. The increased understanding of this pathway led to the identification of new promising drugs in addition to trastuzumab, offering further perspectives. The role of HER2/neu in colorectal carcinoma is controversially discussed, as discrepant data has been reported.

Methods:

Here, we retrospectively assessed the prevalence of HER2/neu positivity in a large series of colorectal carcinoma, testing HER2/neu status according to current recommendations. We correlated the results to clinico-pathological data and patient survival.

Results:

Overall, in 1645 primary colorectal carcinoma cases, 1.6% of the cases were HER2/neu positive. HER2/neu positivity significantly correlated with higher UICC stages (P=0.017) and lymph node metastases (P=0.029). In the subgroup of sigmoideal and rectal carcinomas, positive HER2/neu status was associated with T-category (P=0.041) and higher UICC stages (P=0.022). Although statistically not significant, HER2/neu-positive colorectal carcinomas displayed a tendency to poorer overall survival.

Conclusions:

These results illustrate the importance of testing HER2/neu by approved diagnostic techniques and scoring systems. We assume that although the prevalence of HER2/neu positivity in colorectal carcinoma is low, HER2/neu testing in advanced, nodal-positive colorectal carcinoma is reasonable, offering a potential target in high risk colorectal carcinoma.     

Expression of HER-2 affects patient survival and paclitaxel sensitivity in endometrial cancer

Background:

Disabled phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signalling is involved in endometrial carcinogenesis, and there is evidence that expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family members has a role in such intracellular signalling pathways. This study analysed the prognostic impact of EGFR family expression in endometrial cancer in relation to PI3K–AKT and MAPK–ERK signalling, as well as drug sensitivity.

Methods and results:

Immunohistochemical analysis using 63 surgical specimens of endometrioid-type endometrial cancers revealed that EGFR, human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2 and HER-4 were expressed in 25 (39.7%) of 63, 26 (41.3%) of 63 and 31 (49.2%) of 63 tumours, respectively. Gene amplification of HER-2 was observed in 2 of 26 patients with high HER-2 expression. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that high HER-2 expression was a factor that negatively influenced the progression-free and overall survival rate (P<0.05), and multivariate analysis showed high HER-2 expression to be an independent prognostic factor. Subsequently, we performed in vitro knockdown analysis to investigate the linkage between HER-2 expression and PI3K–AKT pathways. Short interfering RNA (siRNA)-based knockdown of HER-2 in endometrial cancer cells led to a significant reduction in phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) expression, indicating the existence of a HER-2/PI3K-AKT axis. As the PI3K–AKT pathway is known to have crucial roles in anticancer drug sensitivity, we examined the involvement of HER-2 in sensitivity to paclitaxel. Short interfering RNA-based knockdown of HER-2 conferred increased sensitivity to paclitaxel in endometrial cancer cells, attenuating the induction of p-AKT on paclitaxel stimulation, which was cancelled by inactivating AKT by the introduction of a dominant-negative form.

Conclusion:

HER-2 is a significant prognostic factor of endometrioid-type endometrial cancer, as well as a key molecule that affects paclitaxel sensitivity by HER-2 interaction with the PI3K–AKT pathway.     

Nuclear receptor co-activators and HER-2/neu are upregulated in breast cancer patients during neo-adjuvant treatment with aromatase inhibitors

Background:

Acquired resistance to endocrine therapy in breast cancer is poorly understood. Characterisation of the molecular response to aromatase inhibitors in breast cancer tissue may provide important information regarding development of oestrogen hypersensitivity.

Methods:

We examined the expression levels of nuclear receptor co-regulators, the orphan nuclear receptor liver receptor homologue-1 and HER-2/neu growth factor receptor using real-time RT-PCR before and after 13–16 weeks of primary medical treatment with the aromatase inhibitors anastrozole or letrozole.

Results:

mRNA expression of the steroid receptor co-activator 1 (SRC-1) and peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator-1α (PGC-1α) was correlated (P=0.002), and both co-activators increased during treatment in the patient group as a whole (P=0.008 and P=0.032, respectively), as well as in the subgroup of patients achieving an objective treatment response (P=0.002 and P=0.006). Although we recorded no significant change in SRC-3/amplified in breast cancer 1 level, the expression correlated positively to the change of SRC-1 (P=0.002). Notably, we recorded an increase in HER-2/neu levels during therapy in the total patient group (18 out of 26; P=0.016), but in particular among responders (15 out of 21; P=0.008).

Conclusion:

Our results show an upregulation of co-activator mRNA and HER-2/neu during treatment with aromatase inhibitors. These mechanisms may represent an early adaption of the breast cancer cells to oestrogen deprivation in vivo.     

HER-2 and HER-3 expression in liver metastases of patients with colorectal cancer

Objective

In this study, we evaluate the frequency of HER-2 and HER-3 expression in liver metastases from patients with colorectal cancer (CRLM). We analyzed the potential of HER-2 and HER-3 as therapeutic targets and evaluated their prognostic value.

Patients and Methods

Overall 208 patients with CRLM were enrolled. HER-2 and HER-3 expression were determined in metastatic tissue of diagnostic punch biopsies (n = 29) or resection specimens (n = 179). The results of immunohistochemistry (IHC) scoring and In-situ-hybridization (ISH)-amplification were correlated with clinical parameters and for the 179 resected patients with cancer-specific (CSS) and overall survival (OS). The mean follow-up time was 56.7 months.

Results

Positivity of HER-2 status (IHC score 2+/ISH+ and IHC 3+) was found in 8.2% of CRLM. High expression of HER-3 (IHC score 2+ and IHC 3+) was detected in 75.0% of liver metastases. CSS after liver surgery was determined and was independent from the HER-2 status (p = 0.963); however HER-3 was prognostic with a favorable course for patients showing an overexpression of HER-3 (p = 0.037).

Conclusions

HER-2 overexpression occurs in only 8% of patients with CRLM but with 75% of cases HER-3 is frequently overexpressed in CRLM. Therefore, HER-2 and particularly HER-3 could serve as novel targets to be addressed within multimodal treatment approaches.     

Assessing the real-world cost-effectiveness of adjuvant trastuzumab in HER-2/neu positive breast cancer

Background.

Among women with surgically removed, high-risk HER-2/neu-positive breast cancer, trastuzumab has demonstrated significant improvements in disease-free and overall survival. The objective of this study is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the currently recommended 12-month adjuvant protocol of trastuzumab using a Markov modeling approach and real-world cost data.

Methods.

A 10-health-state Markov model tracked patients'' quarterly transitions between health states in the local and advanced states of breast cancer. Clinical data were obtained from the joint analysis of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project and North Central Cancer Treatment Group, as well as from the metastatic study conducted by Norum et al. Clinical outcomes were adjusted for quality of life using utility estimates published in a systematic review. Real cost data were obtained from the British Columbia Cancer Agency and were evaluated from a payer perspective. Costs and utilities were discounted at 5% per year, respectively, for a 28-year time horizon.

Results.

In the base case analysis, treatment with a 12-month adjuvant trastuzumab regimen resulted in a gain of 1.38 quality-adjusted life years or 1.17 life years gained at a cost of $18,133 per patient. Thus, the cost per QALY gained for the base case is $13,095. Cost per LYG is $15,492.

Conclusions.

Over the long term, treatment of HER-2/neu mutation positive breast cancer with a 12-month protocol of trastuzumab in the adjuvant setting is predicted to be cost-effective in a Canadian context.     

乳腺癌中COX-2和HER-2/neu共表达现象及其临床意义

目的观察乳腺癌患者中COX-2的表达及其与HER-2/neu表达的关系,分析COX-2表达对乳腺癌患者DFS的影响。方法应用免疫组化方法检测179例原发性乳腺癌患者标本的COX-2表达及HER-2/neu表达。结果共有25例(13.9%)标本中COX-2呈过表达,并且与HER-2/ neu表达(61/179,34.1%)显著相关(P=0.013)。在单因素生存分析中,COX-2过表达与无疾病生存期显著相关(P=0.029),而COX-2与HER-2/neu共表达患者也有无疾病生存期缩短的趋势。但是多因素分析提示,COX-2过表达与无疾病生存期无显著关系(RR 0.907,95%CI 0.309～2.65,P= 0.858)。结论在人类乳腺癌中,COX-2与HER-2/neu存在共表达。而COX-2与HER-2/neu共表达提示预后差。因此,COX-2选择性抑制剂的临床应用可能是乳腺癌患者治疗的一种新策略。     

The expression of HER-2/neu gene in colon cancer tissues and its clinical significance

Objective

The article aims to detect the expression of HER-2/neu gene in colon cancer tissues and adjacent tissues, to analyze the relationship between different pathologic types and clinical features, also to invest the distribution of patients with positive expression of HER-2 gene.

Methods

The expression of HER-2 gene in the 223 samples with colon cancer was detected by immunochemical approach. The expression of HER-2 gene in colon cancer tissues and adjacent tissues and different pathologic types was analyzed by χ² test. The correlation between the expression of HER-2 gene and clinical features was analyzed by Spearman.

Results

The number of positive expression of HER-2 gene in colon cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were 74 and 0 respectively, the difference has statistical significance. The number of papillary or tubular adenocarcinoma was 182, among them, 60 cases were positive expression. The number of mucinous adenocarcinoma was 41, among them, 14 cases were positive expression. The expression of HER-2/neu gene has no correlation with sex, age, the maximum diameter, general classification, degree of differentiation and depth of invasion, which has no statistical significance. However, the expression of HER-2/neu gene has correlation with metastasis of lymph node and Dukes stage, which has statistical significance. The expression of HER-2/neu gene was positive correlation with metastasis of lymph node and Dukes stage. The correlated coefficient index was 0.320 and 0.320 respectively. In the 74 patients with positive expression of HER-2 gene, 59.4% of them were 60–74 years old. And there was 97.3% of the patients without family history of adenocarcinoma.

Conclusion

The expression of HER-2/neu gene in colon cancer tissues was higher than in adjacent tissues. The expression of HER-2/neu gene has no correlation with sex, age, the maximum diameter, general classification, degree of differentiation and depth of invasion, but has correlation with metastasis of lymph node and Dukes stage. The expression of HER-2/neu gene was positive correlation with metastasis of lymph node and Dukes stage. The expression of HER-2/neu gene with age of 60–74 years old and without family history of adenocarcinoma was higher than other groups.     

TOP2A amplification in the absence of that of HER-2/neu: toward individualization of chemotherapeutic practice in breast cancer

Primary objective.

To investigate the relationship between human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2/neu and the gene encoding topoisomerase IIα (TOP2A) in breast cancer, while elucidating their association with clinicopathological variables.

Methods.

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) was performed on a 96-patient study group to assess gene amplification, and levels were determined using the comparative cycle threshold approach and Taqman assays. An immunohistochemistry (IHC) microarray (n = 76) was then employed to check for correlation between gene amplification and protein expression levels.

Results.

Amplification levels of TOP2A did not differ significantly according to HER-2/neu status by either RQ-PCR or IHC microarray. Of the HER-2/neu⁻ patients, 29.1% demonstrated levels of TOP2A above the third quartile, whereas 22.9% of the HER-2/neu⁺ patients had values in the first quartile (log TOP2A <0.62), thereby indicating low-level amplification. Of the 60 patients characterized as HER-2/neu⁻ using IHC and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), 22.9% were classified as TOP2A⁺ on the IHC microarray. Of the 14 patients deemed HER-2/neu⁺ using IHC and FISH, meanwhile, the majority (n = 10) were classified as TOP2A⁺.

Conclusions.

Our results indicate that amplification of TOP2A in breast cancer is not confined to those who are concomitantly HER-2/neu⁺, and suggest that a significant proportion of HER-2/neu⁻ patients exhibit high levels of TOP2A.     

Expression and clinical significance of annexin A2 and human epididymis protein 4 in endometrial carcinoma

Background

It is well-known that the treatment and monitoring methods are limited for advanced stage of endometrial carcinoma. Biological molecules with expression changes during tumor progression become potential therapeutic targets for advanced stage endometrial carcinoma. Annexin A2 (ANXA2) has been reported to be overexpressed in recurrent endometrial carcinoma, and the expression of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is upregulated in endometrial carcinoma. What’s more, ANXA2 and HE4 interacted in ovarian cancer and promoted the malignant biological behavior. We speculated that their interaction may exist in endometrial carcinoma as well. We evaluated the expression and the correlation relationship of ANXA2 and HE4 in endometrial carcinoma.

Methods

The expression of ANXA2 and HE4 protein in 84 endometrial carcinoma, 30 endometrial atypical hyperplasia, and 18 normal endometrial tissue samples were then measured using an immunohistochemical assay in paraffin embedded endometrial tissues. The structural relationship between ANXA2 and HE4 was explored by immunoprecipitation and double immunofluorescent staining.

Results

ANXA2 and HE4 co-localized in both endometrial tissues and endometrial carcinoma cells. ANXA2 and HE4 were expressed in 95.2 % and 85.7 % of the the endometrial carcinoma, respectively, which were significantly higher than normal endometrium (55.6 % and 16.7 %, both p < 0.05). The expression of ANXA2 and HE4 was significantly correlated with FIGO stage, degree of differentiation, myometrial invasion, and lymph node metastasis. ANXA2 was an independent risk factor for the prognosis of endometrial carcinoma (p < 0.05, hazard ratio [HR] = 8.004). The expression of ANXA2 and HE4 was positively correlated (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.228, p < 0.05). HE4 was an independent factor for ANXA2 in multivariate linear regression model (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

We revealed the co-localization of ANXA2 and HE4 in endometrial carcinoma. Expression levels of ANXA2 and HE4 were closely related to the malignant biological behavior of endometrial carcinoma, and ANXA2 was an independent risk factor for poor prognosis. The expression of ANXA2 and HE4 can affect each other.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-015-0208-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Clinical findings and HER-2/neu gene amplification status of breast carcinoma patients

The study group was derived from the archival materials of 48 invasive intraductal breast cancer patients who had undergone partial mastectomy/ axillary dissection. All patients included in the study had clinically T1-2N0M0 invasive ductal carcinoma. To detect HER-2/neu status, fluorescent in situ hybridization was performed using a HER-2/neu locus-specific probe. Signals were counted and patients were classified in three groups according to signal ratios: signal ratio <2, group 1 (n=31); signal ratio 2-4, group 2 (n=11); signal ratio >4, group 3 (n=6). Ratios of axillary metastatic lymph nodes to dissected total lymph nodes were 17%, 23% and 83% in groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively (P=0.003). The number of metastatic axillary lymph nodes, and the ratio of microscopic metastatic lymph nodes were highest in group 3 (P=0.001 and P=0.008, respectively). No significant difference was observed between groups for distant metastasis in a 5-year follow-up period. Signal ratios decreased with estrogen receptor expression (P=0.03). Histopathologically, an irregular growth pattern of the tumor was observed in 100% of the patients in group 3, and in 54% and 60% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P=0.04). Lymphovascular invasion of the tumor was significantly higher in group 3 compared to the other two groups (P=0.01). The extensive intraductal component ratio was the highest in group 3 (P=0.04). The appearance of desmoplastic reaction and lymphocyte infiltration did not show significant difference between the groups. Our results show that HER-2/neu signal ratio increases with lymphovascular invasion, an extensive intraductal component, irregular growth pattern and axillary metastasis in clinically T1-2N0M0 invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast.     

Relevance of Bcl-x expression in different types of endometrial tissues

Objectives

To explore the roles of Bcl-xl and Bcl-xs in the development and progression of endometrial carcinoma, and to analyze the correlation between Bcl-xl and Bcl-xs.

Methods

RT-PCR and Western-blot assay were applied to detect the expressions of Bcl-xl and Bcl-xs in endometrial tissues of various histomorphologic types.

Results

The Bcl-xl expression levels of simple and atypical hyperplasia endometrial tissues were not significantly different from that of normal endometrial tissue (both P > 0.05). On contrary, Bcl-xl expression in endometrial carcinoma tissue was significantly higher than the normal endometrial tissue (P = 0.00), which was correlated with the pathological grading of endometrial carcinoma (F = 5.33, P = 0.02). In addition, Bcl-xs mRNA level in simple hyperplasia endometrial tissue had no significant difference compared to that in normal endometrial tissue (P = 0.12), while the levels of atypical hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma endometrial tissues were significantly different from the normal endometrial tissue (both P = 0.00). Furthermore, level of Bcl-xs mRNA was correlated with the clinical staging and lymph node metastasis of the endometrial carcinoma (P < 0.05). The expressions of Bcl-xl and Bcl-xs were negatively correlated with each other (r = -0.76).

Conclusion

The abnormal expressions of Bcl-xs and Bcl-xl were one of the molecular mechanisms for the pathogenesis of endometrial carcinoma, and altered ratio between these two might involve in the onset of endometrial carcinoma.     

HER2/neu and Ki-67 expression predict non-invasive recurrence following breast-conserving therapy for ductal carcinoma in situ

Background:

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a non-invasive form of breast cancer that may progress to invasive cancer. Identification of factors that predict recurrence and distinguish DCIS from invasive recurrence would facilitate treatment recommendations. We examined the prognostic value of nine molecular markers on the risks of local recurrence (DCIS and invasive) among women treated with breast-conserving therapy.

Methods:

A total of 213 women who were treated with breast-conserving therapy between 1982 and 2000 were included; 141 received breast-conserving surgery alone and 72 cases received radiotherapy. We performed immunohistochemical staining on the DCIS specimen for nine markers: oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, Ki-67, p53, p21, cyclinD1, HER2/neu, calgranulin and psoriasin. We performed univariable and multivariable survival analyses to identify markers associated with the recurrence.

Results:

The rate of recurrence at 10 years was 36% for patients treated with breast-conserving surgery alone and 18% for women who received breast-conserving surgery and radiotherapy. HER2/neu+/Ki-67+ expression was associated with an increased risk of DCIS recurrence, independent of grade and age (HR=3.22; 95% CI: 1.47–7.03; P=0.003). None of the nine markers were predictive of invasive recurrence.

Conclusion:

Women with a HER2/neu/neu+/Ki67+ DCIS have a higher risk of developing DCIS local recurrence after breast-conserving surgery.     

HER-2/neu status is a determinant of mammary aromatase activity in vivo: evidence for a cyclooxygenase-2-dependent mechanism

Cytochrome P450 aromatase (aromatase), a product of the CYP19 gene, catalyzes the synthesis of estrogens from androgens. Given the significance of estrogen synthesis in hormone-dependent breast carcinogenesis, it is important to elucidate the mechanisms that regulate CYP19 expression. The main objective of this study was to define the interrelationship between HER-2/neu, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and aromatase in mammary tissue. Mammary aromatase activity and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) levels were increased in mice with mammary-targeted expression of a COX-2 transgene. In vitro, overexpressing COX-2 caused both increased PGE(2) production and aromatase activity, effects that were suppressed by celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor. Previously, we found that overexpression of HER-2/neu was associated with increased levels of COX-2 in human breast cancers. Here, we show that overexpression of HER-2/neu is also associated with increased aromatase activity. These results suggested the possibility that COX-2 was the functional intermediate linking HER-2/neu and aromatase. Consistent with this idea, COX-2 deficiency led to a gene dose-dependent reduction in mammary aromatase activity in a HER-2/neu transgenic mouse model. Complementary in vitro studies showed that HER-2/neu-mediated induction of PGE(2) synthesis and aromatase activity were suppressed by inhibiting COX-2. Collectively, our data indicate that COX-2 is the functional intermediate linking HER-2/neu and aromatase and suggest that inhibitors of PGE(2) synthesis will suppress estrogen biosynthesis in breast tissue.     

Chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH): a novel alternative in screening archival breast cancer tissue samples for HER-2/neu status

Background

Chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) is emerging as a practical, cost-effective, and valid alternative to fluorescent in situ hybridization in testing for gene alteration, especially in centers primarily working with immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Methods

We assessed Her-2/neu alteration using CISH on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary invasive ductal carcinoma tumors in which IHC (CB11 antibody) had previously been performed, and we compared the results with IHC. The 160 selected cases were equally stratified randomly into the four IHC categories (scores of 0, 1+, 2+, and 3+). We also compared age at diagnosis and tumor histologic grade with IHC and CISH Her-2/neu.

Results

We were able to perform and evaluate CISH successfully on all cases. The agreement between 3+ IHC and CISH-amplified cases as well as between all IHC and CISH Her-2/neu negative cases was 100%, and the concordance on all positive cases was 72.50%, with an overall agreement of 86.25%. All the discordant cases had 2+ IHC scores. Although we noted Her-2/neu positivity more in premenopausal women, the age at diagnosis was not significantly associated with IHC or CISH results. Similarly, although the small group of well-differentiated tumors was apparently Her-2/neu negative in both tests, no significant association was noted between any tumor histologic grade and either IHC or CISH results.

Conclusions

CISH is easily integrated into routine testing in our laboratory. It is a necessary adjunct in determining the subset of non-amplified IHC-positive invasive tumors that will not benefit from trastuzumab therapy. Those cases with 2+ IHC results will be triaged and subjected to CISH. Her-2/neu testing should be done on all breast cancer cases regardless of age at presentation and tumor histologic grade.     

Pre-existent immunity to the HER-2/neu oncogenic protein in patients with HER-2/neu overexpressing breast and ovarian cancer

Immunomodulatory strategies, such as antibody therapy and cancer vaccines, are increasingly being considered as potential adjuvant therapies in patients with advanced stage breast cancer to either treat minimal residual disease or prevent relapse. However, little is known concerning the incidence and magnitude of the pre-existent breast cancer specific immune response in this patient population. Using the HER-2/neu oncogenic protein as a model, a well-defined tumor antigen in breast cancer, we questioned whether patients with advanced stage HER-2/neu overexpressing breast and ovarian cancers (III/IV) had evidence of pre-existent immunity to HER-2/neu. Forty-five patients with stage III or IV HER-2/neu overexpressing breast or ovarian cancer were evaluated for HER-2/neu specific T cell and antibody immunity. Patients enrolled had not received immunosuppressive chemotherapy for at least 30 days (median 5 months, range 1–75 months). All patients were documented to be immune competent prior to entry by DTH testing using a skin test anergy battery. Five of 45 patients (11%) were found to have a significant HER-2/neu specific T cell response as defined by a stimulation index 2.0 (range 2.0–7.9). None of eight patients who were HLA-A2 had a detectable IFN secreting T-cell precursor frequency to a well-defined HER-2/neu HLA-A2 T cell epitope, p369-377. Three of 45 patients (7%) had detectable HER-2/neu specific IgG antibodies, range 1.2–8.9g/ml. These findings suggest that patients with advanced stage HER-2/neu overexpressing breast and ovarian cancer can mount a T cell and/or antibody immune response to their tumor. However, in the case of the HER-2/neu antigen, the pre-existent tumor specific immune response is found only in a minority of patients.     

Restoration of estrogen responsiveness by blocking the HER-2/neu pathway

HER-2/neu gene amplification or protein overexpression is evident in 20-30% of primary breast cancers. Its amplification correlates with poor prognosis. There appears to be an association between HER-2/neu overexpression and estrogen independence. The MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cell line is estrogen-dependent and sensitive to the anti-estrogen, tamoxifen (TAM). This line, when transfected with the HER-2/neu gene, becomes estrogen-independent and resistant to TAM. Blockade of the HER-2/neu receptor with 1-5 nM of the humanized HER-2/neu antibody, Herceptin, restored estrogen, as well as TAM, sensitivity. These results suggest that Herceptin or similar drugs may restore estrogen sensitivity and the administration of a HER-2/neu inhibitor with an anti-estrogen to premenopausal patients should be considered.     

食管癌组织中HER-2/neu蛋白表达和基因扩增的检测及其临床意义

目的:检测食管癌组织中HER-2/neu蛋白表达及其基因扩增情况,并探讨其与食管癌患者临床病理指标的关系。方法:回顾性分析2000～2006年武汉大学人民医院收治的167例食管癌患者的临床资料。采用免疫组织化学和荧光原位杂交方法检测167例食管癌患者癌组织中HER-2/neu蛋白表达及基因扩增情况。结果:食管癌组织中HER-2/neu蛋白表达水平与基因扩增存在一定相关性(P<0.05),HER-2/neu蛋白的表达与食管癌分化程度和临床分期有关系(P<0.05),而HER-2/neu基因扩增仅与食管癌临床分期有关系(p<0.05)。HER-2/neu蛋白过表达和基因扩增阳性均可缩短食管癌患者的生存期(P<0.05)。结论:HER-2/neu蛋白过表达及基因扩增可能是食管癌患者的一个预后指标,联合检测HER-2/neu蛋白表达水平及基因扩增程度对于食管癌的靶向治疗可能具有一定指导意义。